IRLabs brings over 50 years of expertise in low-temperature physics to cryostat design and manufacturing. We understand that while performance is crucial, managing costs is equally important for our clients’ success.
Our cryostats serve diverse applications worldwide, including:
IR detection and imaging
Focal point array testing
Low-temperature physics experiments
OEM integration
Whether you need a custom design or a standard solution, we work closely with you to deliver high-performance cryostats that meet your exact temperature requirements while staying within budget.
IRLabs has a proven track record, from designing and manufacturing the cryostat for the Large Binocular Telescope at Mt. Graham, Arizona, to retrofitting NASA’s Mid-IR Spectrometer and Imager (MIRSI) ln2 dewar into a cryo-free cryocooler. Our cryostats are engineered for success in even the most challenging low-temperature environments.
What is a Cryostat?
A cryostat is a device used to maintain extremely low temperatures for scientific instruments, components, or experiments—often reaching below 4 Kelvin. In photonics and quantum research, cryostats are essential for reducing thermal noise and enabling the performance of ultra-sensitive detectors and systems, such as infrared sensors and superconducting devices. At IRLabs our cryostats provide the stable, cryogenic environment necessary for cutting-edge infrared sensing and quantum technology applications.
Find the Right Cryostat for Your Temperature Range
Why Choose a Cryostat from IRLabs?
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Get started on selecting the right system. Our systems decision tree will help you understand the possible configurations for your application. When you’re ready, contact us to discuss your project’s requirements.
Cryostat Cooling Options: Liquid vs. Cryogen-Free
Choosing the right cryostat is critical for low-temperature research, testing, or failure analysis. IRLabs offers both liquid cryogen dewars and cryogen-free cryostats, each with distinct advantages depending on your application, budget, and operational needs.
Liquid Cryogen Dewars: Proven, Simple, Reliable
How they work: Vacuum-insulated vessels holding liquid nitrogen (77K) or helium (4.2K).
- Pros: Low initial cost, vibration-free, rapid cool-down, simple operation with no moving parts.
- Cons: Requires regular cryogen replenishment, ongoing operating costs, dependence on supply, limited unattended runtime.
Cryogen-Free Cryostats: Continuous Operation, Lower TCO
How they work: Mechanical refrigeration using closed-cycle helium cryocoolers (Gifford-McMahon or pulse tube).
- Pros: No cryogen handling, predictable energy-based operating costs, 24/7 unattended operation, safer and cleaner lab environment.
- Cons: Higher initial investment, longer cool-down (6–12 hours), small vibrations from moving parts, requires periodic maintenance, may require higher-voltage or 3-phase power, and in some models, water cooling for compressor heat rejection.
Making the Right Choice
- Choose liquid nitrogen dewars when vibration sensitivity is critical, usage is intermittent, rapid cool-down is required, or facility already supports cryogen handling.
- Choose cryogen-free cryostats when continuous operation, lower long-term costs, unattended operation, and lab safety are priorities.
IRLabs provides both technologies and can recommend the best option based on temperature requirements, thermal load, sample access, vibration tolerance, and operational patterns.
